Finding The Right Man

Karl Henry popped back to school yesterday to deliver some books being donated to pupils thanks to a new initiative from Skips Education.

But it was understandable that as Henry returned to his former stomping ground at St Alban’s Primary School in Ashmore Park, discussion was centred around more recent history – Wolves’ relegation into League One and the departure of manager Dean Saunders.

Club captain Henry admitted it was both “shameful and embarrassing” that Wolves have now suffered back-to-back relegations, and hoped the appointment of a new boss will help bring about a revival.

“I was surprised to hear the news about Dean and didn’t expect him to lose his job,” said Henry.

“But we know what can happen in football and we had been relegated.

“I’ve been at Wolves for seven years and the last two years have been very difficult.

“There is not so much shame in being relegated from the Premier League which is such a tough league.

“But to then be relegated the following season from the Championship when we were expecting to be at the other end of the table is shameful and embarrassing.

“We all need to take a long, hard look at ourselves.

“As players, we are on the pitch and we have to be accountable.

“At the same time the club have made mistakes from top and bottom in the last couple of years.

“They are now bringing in a new manager and have to make sure that is it the right man for the club and then give him time to develop the team.

“Where we have found ourselves is outrageous really for a club like Wolves, and to be looking for another manager is a sad, state of affairs.

“We all need to put things right as quickly as possible.”

Henry meanwhile says he completely understands fans’ frustrations after such a disappointing two seasons.

But he hopes this can now be as low as it gets for those dedicated supporters, believing League One might also provide an environment for the club’s youngsters to prosper.

“It’s not just about me being a local lad – I’m also a player and it is a bad situation,” he added.

“We all have self pride and we should not have been relegated with the players we have got in the squad.

“It has been a crazy year in the Championship but we shouldn’t have found ourselves down at the bottom end.

“The fans have every right to be disappointed and angry and as players we have to take that on the chin.

“I am sure there will be players coming and going.

“We have got some great younger players coming through who may get their chance now which might not have come along in the Championship.

“Maybe things happen for a reason, and there are a good set of players coming through at Wolves.

“If the right manager can be appointed then hopefully the Club will start heading in the right direction.”

It is hoped meanwhile that the pupils at St Alban’s can also head in the right direction thanks to the delivery of the new books, which were delivered with the help of Sam Sharma, Marketing Director fo the Birmingham-based Skips group. (www.skipsed.com)

“I was really pleased to be able to present these books which help parents help their children with their homework,” he said.

“It’s a nice thing for Sam to do and I’m delighted to be here at my old school passing the books on.

“I’m always proud to come back here and do anything I can to help them out.

“It does put things into perspective to see all the smiling faces here and I realise footballers are in a privileged position and we should always try and help and give things back if we can.”